JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 8, 2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 8, 2017

Jason Martinez

4:32

Spring Training is right around the corner. Several FA options have come off the board in the last few days. Matt Wieters is still unemployed. I'm guessing that agents will have a more aggressive approach next offseason and try to get their guys signed early. OK, let's talk some baseball.

Tim

4:34

The Rays 1B options seem to be dwindling. With that said do you think CJ Cron would be of interest to them and who would they have to give up?

Jason Martinez

4:35

I think the Rays have enough. I don't think Cron has a ton of value right now so Angels will hold on to him. Logan Morrison was quietly very impressive last season after a slow start and before season-ending injury. They also have 2 of their best prospects, Casey Gillaspie (1B) and Jake Bauers (1B/RF), in Triple-A and possibly making the jump in '17. Against LHP, I think Nick Franklin can play 1B (or slide Brad Miller over with Franklin or Beckham at 2B)..

Ari

4:36

For the 2017 season Manuel Margot +/- 1.5 WAR? Why?

Jason Martinez

4:37

Between his defense, baserunning and ability to at least hold his own at the plate right now, I think he's a good bet for a better than 1.5 WAR. Only think holding him back is if they decide to give him a month or two in AAA for free agency/Super 2 arb. reasons.

Ricky

4:38

Do you think the White Sox will end up trading Q before the start of spring training?

Jason Martinez

4:38

Only if a contender who has the trade chips loses a valuable starter to a season-ending injury. I don't think Sox are decreasing their asking price and no teams has met it.

Jack

4:39

Hi Jason. Where do you think Matt Wieters will land.

Jason Martinez

4:39

I'll go with the Angels.

Super braves fan

4:40

Who is the closer of the future for the Braves, Aj Minter or Mauracio Cabrera

Jason Martinez

4:41

I think Cabrera has the edge, if only because he's already there and had a very impressive showing. And 103 MPH, of course!

Brian Wilson

4:42

Will someone take a chance on me this year? Hey I have a new Pitch too!

Jason Martinez

4:42

Probably not, but I'm sure teams are intrigued to at least see you throw it. One of these years, I'm going to start working on the knuckleball and hope to debut in the majors in my mid-40's.

Donk

4:44

W/O giving up Beede or Arroyo, what's the best the Giants will get at the deadline assuming Williamson and Parker flame out in LF?

Jason Martinez

4:44

Guys like Rajai Davis and Melky Cabrera might not be that costly at the trade deadline. Maybe they'd be ready for an Angel Pagan reunion if Parker/Williamson don't work out.

Rays

4:46

What do you think of Jesus Sucre? Good pick up?

Jason Martinez

4:46

Depth is always good. But you could've probably guessed my answer based on my Twitter handle (@mlbdepthcharts). As I've learned by doing this job for 8 years, 162 games is a long time and you can never have enough depth.

Archit

4:48

Do you think Nats new pick up is worth taking a chance on? Potentially as a closer?

Jason Martinez

4:49

Enny Romero? Not really. Good arm, but close to 6.00 ERA in '16. He's out of options so they'll try to limit him to low-leverage situations until he can be trusted. Felipe Rivero was also a bit shaky but starting to emerge as a reliable late-inning guy before they traded him. They're probably hoping he follows in his footsteps.

Dustin

4:51

Does Aaron Hill and/or Franklin Gutierrez make sense for the Reds on their bench?

Jason Martinez

4:51

Yep, although I think Gutierrez goes to a contender that needs help vs LHP. The Reds bench is Barnhart, Peraza, Desmond Jennings and 2 spots up for grabs.

Mike

4:53

Do u think the Dodgers would have been better off deal DeLeon for Cesaro Hernandez? Hernandez can bat leadoff, is controlled for several more years and plays quality 2b. Phillies got Kingery waiting anyways

Jason Martinez

4:53

They might have asked for more than DeLeon. I also think Forsythe is a better fit for the Dodgers right now. Not a star but very good player. I don't fully trust that Hernandez is that good just yet.

Rory

4:54

Jason-can Alex Dickerson be an everyday player for the Padres??

Jason Martinez

4:55

Really depends on how he progresses defensively and how ready Renfroe/Margot prove to be. He can certainly hit. Still questions on whether he's good enough to be an everyday LF.

Cardinals

4:56

What do you of the cardinals deal with Carlos Martinez?

Jason Martinez

4:56

Love it. Win for both sides. He seems on track to be an elite starter and he's already very good.

4:59

Can you see Utley going back to LA as a bench player?

Jason Martinez

4:59

Not a great situation for him since Forsythe will be in there pretty much everyday and Utley hasn't really played anywhere else. Not an ideal fit for the Dodgers, either. I have their bench as Austin Barnes, Darin Ruf (out of options and crushes LHP), Hernandez (super-utility), Ethier and Trayce Thompson (platoon with Toles).

mmddyyyy

5:00

What sort of reason keeps a team that needs relief innings from calling up starting pitching prospects into the bullpen?

Jason Martinez

5:01

Elbows are delicate. Young pitchers need to be handled with care. Can't be going from starting rotation on regular rest in minors to irregular appearances out of the bullpen. It does happen occasionally, but usually when a contending team is looking for a power arm in the bullpen. But that's not ideal. Better to get them ready to be an MLB starter.

Mjrockz

5:04

Do you think any of the prospects acquired in the sale/eaton trades start the year in the majors? If not who makes it up to the majors first?

Jason Martinez

5:04

Probably not. Mostly because there's no reason to do that. Moncada, Giolito and Lopez each accumulated MLB service time so Sox would probably want them in AAA long enough to push their free agency back to 6 years.

Out of the Park

5:05

Is there a chance for Park to get a regular spot in Twins this season? What do you think

Jason Martinez

5:05

Sure. The DFA was more about clearing a 40-man spot, because it was unlikely that another team would claime him and take on his salary. I have Kennys Vargas penciled into a regular spot right now. Park could beat him out with a strong spring.

Ryan

5:07

I understand you are the resource for rosters.... which of the Twins recent acquisitions do you think will break camp with the team?

Jason Martinez

5:08

I think Adrianza has a good chance. He's out of options and he gives them the great SS defense that Polanco doesn't give them. I think Breslow and Stubbs will be up eventually. Just not on Opening Day unless an injury or two opens the door.

David

5:09

Why is everyone hyping up Gleyber Torres? Just wondering because Ozzie Albies have way better stats than he did, and hes younger and was in AA while Gleyber was in A.

Jason Martinez

5:10

More about ceiling. Both great prospects. Torres has power potential, though. Albies probably won't ever hit for much power.

Jenilee

5:12

I heard today the Tribe might be interested in Utley. Thoughts?

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